NATURE lovers got a rare treat when they discovered wildlife at Fiddler's Ferry nature reserve.

About 15 people attended the Hawks and Hawkers event, organised by the Mersey Gateway Project, which enabled wildlife enthusiasts to take a guided tour around the area, which is normally closed to the public.

They were able to spot rare and spectacular birds, including buzzards, hawks and peregrine falcons, as well as Hawker dragonflies.

Tour guide Jeff Clarke said the event had been timed to coincide with the peak period for dragonflies and damselflies.

Fiddler's Ferry nature reserve has a wealth of ponds and water bodies that provide the perfect home for a number of these beautiful creatures.

However, the neighbouring power station is a well-known haunt of some great bird predators, too, so visitors got to glimpse a variety of spectacular wildlife.

Philip Antrobus, from Hough Green in Widnes, said: "Something completely different. Amazing and very enjoyable."

David and Angela Barrow, from Widnes, said: "It was well organised and really enjoyable. Jeff Clarke was very knowledgeable."

All profits from the event will be donated to environmental charities.

Hawks and Hawkers was one of three guided nature events organised by Merseylink and the Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust that are taking place this summer.

They are designed to encourage nature-lovers to study wildlife along the Upper Mersey Estuary.

A long-term aim of the Mersey Gateway project is to improve the local environment along the river.